That '70s Show star Danny Masterson charged with raping three women

That '70s Show star Danny Masterson has been charged with raping three women.
Danny Masterson. Photo credit: Getty

Actor Daniel Masterson has been arrested and charged with raping three women in separate incidents occurring between 2001 and 2003.

The That '70s Show star's charges have been announced by Los Angeles County District Attorney Jackie Lacey.

His bond was set at US$3.3 million and he is scheduled to be in court on September 17.

Masterson, an outspoken Scientologist, faces a possible maximum sentence of 45 years to life in state prison if convicted of the crimes, which are all alleged to have taken place in his home.

Two of his alleged victims were aged 23 at the time of the alleged rapes, while the third was 28.

The LA District Attorney's Office also said it opted against filing charges against Masterson in two other cases - one due to insufficient evidence and the other due to the statute of limitations, it said.

Masterson, who played Steven Hyde on That '70s Show,  denied any wrongdoing when accusations by multiple women about him first came to light in 2017.

Those allegations led to his being fired from Netflix show The Ranch and dumped by United Talent Agency.

"As a result of ongoing discussions, Netflix and the producers have written Danny Masterson out of The Ranch," a Netflix spokesman said at the time.

"Yesterday was his last day on the show, and production will resume in early 2018 without him."

Masterson said at the time that he was "obviously very disappointed in Netflix's decision."

"From day one, I have denied the outrageous allegations against me. Law enforcement investigated these claims more than 15 years ago and determined them to be without merit," Masterson said in a statement.

"I have never been charged with a crime, let alone convicted of one. In this country, you are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

"However, in the current climate, it seems as if you are presumed guilty the moment you are accused."